Drug Abuse and Addiction: Drugs of Choice

Addiction begins with drug abuse when an
individual makes a conscious choice to use drugs, but addiction is not just "a
lot of drug use." Recent scientific research provides overwhelming evidence that
not only do drugs interfere with normal brain functioning creating powerful
feelings of pleasure, but they also have long-term effects on brain metabolism
and activity. At some point, changes occur in the brain that can turn drug abuse
into addiction, a chronic, relapsing illness. Those addicted to drugs suffer
from a compulsive drug craving and usage and cannot quit by themselves.
Treatment is necessary to end this compulsive behavior.

Information on the drugs listed below will help give you a better understanding
of what they are and the health hazards that come along with their abuse.

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates
certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to
amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are
greater. Both drugs have some medical uses, primarily in the treatment of
obesity, but their therapeutic use is limited.

Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for
abuse and dependence. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such
as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." Methamphetamine
hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by
smoking, is referred to as "ice," "crystal," and
"glass."

Health Hazards

Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which
stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. It also appears to
have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that contain dopamine and
serotonin, another neurotransmitter. Over time, methamphetamine appears to cause
reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like those of
Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder.

Methamphetamine is taken orally or intranasally (snorting the powder), by
intravenous injection, and by smoking. Immediately after smoking or intravenous
injection, the methamphetamine user experiences an intense sensation, called a
"rush" or "flash," that lasts only a few minutes and is
described as extremely pleasurable. Oral or intranasal use produces euphoria - a
high, but not a rush. Users may become addicted quickly, and use it with
increasing frequency and in increasing doses.

Animal research going back more than 20 years shows that high doses of
methamphetamine damage neuron cell-endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing
neurons do not die after methamphetamine use, but their nerve endings
("terminals") are cut back and re-growth appears to be limited.

The central nervous system (CNS) actions that result from taking even small
amounts of methamphetamine include increased wakefulness, increased physical
activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, and euphoria.
Other CNS effects include irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors,
convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Hyperthermia and convulsions
can result in death.

Methamphetamine causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can cause
irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other
effects of methamphetamine include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat,
and extreme anorexia. Its use can result in cardiovascular collapse and death.

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are man-made substances related to male sex
hormones. "Anabolic" refers to muscle-building, and
"androgenic" refers to increased masculine characteristics.
"Steroids" refers to the class of drugs. These drugs are available
legally only by prescription, to treat conditions that occur when the body
produces abnormally low amounts of testosterone, such as delayed puberty and
some types of impotence. They are also used to treat body wasting in patients
with AIDS and other diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass. Abuse of
anabolic steroids, however, can lead to serious health problems, some
irreversible.

Today, athletes and others abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance and
also to improve physical appearance. Anabolic steroids are taken orally or
injected, typically in cycles of weeks or months (referred to as
"cycling"), rather than continuously. Cycling involves taking multiple
doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and
starting again. In addition, users often combine several different types of
steroids to maximize their effectiveness while minimizing negative effects
(referred to as "stacking").